But actually, Ellenberger is a Robbie Lawler fan – just one who needs to put it on hold for a while.

“If I can stick to my strategy, we’re going to come through it with my hand being raised,” Ellenberger said.

MMAjunkie checked in with both Ellenberger (29-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC) and Lawler (22-10 MMA, 7-4 UFC) to see how they’re sizing each other up ahead of their welterweight fight at tonight’s UFC 173, which takes place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The main card, including Ellenberger-Lawler, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Check out the full video above to hear how Ellenberger and Lawler see the fight playing out.

ALBANY, N.Y. – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from today’s UFC Fight Night 102 event at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y., which kicks off at 5:45 p.m. ET (2:45 p.m. PT). You can discuss the event here.

ALBANY, N.Y. – Juliana Lima managed to plant J.J. Aldrich on her back early and often, and that proved to be the difference in their otherwise even bout. Lima used bodylock takedowns and an aggressive ground game to outpoint Aldrich en route to a unanimous decision (…)